“How’ll I git holt of de card wid Figger’s name on it when it’s shuck up in a bag?” Wash wanted to know.
“Take a pin an’ pin Figger’s card to de bottom of de bag on de inside,” Skeeter explained. “All you got to do atter dat is to reach down an’ onpin dat card an’ fotch it out.”
Wash looked at Skeeter with the utmost admiration.
“Brudder Butts,” he said earnestly, “some day I’ll take a notion to rob a rattlesnake of de skin under its chin. When I git ready to do it I’ll plan a little wid you an’ learn how to do it.”
“Dat wus easy,” Skeeter grinned. “I kin always think up plenty good plans fer de yuther feller. I falls down when I begins to study fer myse’f.”
“How come you wants dese two to win so bad?” Wash asked.
“I’s tryin’ to break Pap Curtain’s nose!” Skeeter exclaimed. “He’s atter de fat widder an’ her easy money. He aims to start a saloon, an’ I’s de leader of de highest alcoholic circles in dis town an’ don’t need no competition.”
“Nachelly you is ag’in’ dat,” Wash said promptly. “Mebbe ef you could loant me twenty dollars I could think up some good plan to he’p you out.”
Skeeter produced two ten-dollar bills.
“Jes’ keep Pap away from Sister Skaggs, Wash,” Skeeter said earnestly. “Dat earns dis money. I think Pap is got a sure thing. He’s de only onmarried nigger in Tickfall, an’ de widder will take anybody she kin git. She ain’t choosy or she wouldn’t never choose Pap.”